The bat at PKI......

Ok I heard there use to be a coaster at PKI called the bat. I heard it was kind of like Top gun. I also heard that someone got srumk and rode it and slipped out and died. Is this true, and what is the full story? Are there any pics of this dead coaster?
-------------
Best Steel: MF @ Cedar Point
Best Woodie: The Beast @ PKI
Best Park: IOA!
Get to the Point, Cedar Point!

From what I've read no one died on the Bat. They closed it because it caused to much strain on the coaster making it extremely expensive to run.

Here's an excellent article with photos; http://coasterglobe.com/features/lostlegends-thebat/index.cfm

thank you very much! that page was great

-------------
Best Steel: MF @ Cedar Point
Best Woodie: The Beast @ PKI
Best Park: IOA!
Get to the Point, Cedar Point!

The Bat cost 3.5 mill in 1981
I wonder how much it would cost today?
How much did Top Gun cost in 1993?

it looks cool wish i coulda rode it


-------------
Best Steel: MF @ Cedar Point
Best Woodie: The Beast @ PKI
Best Park: IOA!
Get to the Point, Cedar Point!

In reality, if they banked the track and put the braking fins at the top by the track, couldnt this wonder be recreated? It would be cool since I wasnt alive during any time of its era. Lets tell PKI to do this for the 2003 season!

-------------
http://www.islandguide.8m.com
all about PKI
the Beasts` Den

Here is another site about THE BAT.

http://members.iquest.net/~davel/

-------------
Welcome back riders, push down and then pull up on your lap bars and exit to your right.

Banking the track, and having proper braking systems definitely would make it work. BBW at BGW followed shortly after The Bat with these improvements and has been able to survive since 1984 because of it. It is a blast to ride to, not necessarily intense but a lot of fun. However, I do not think many major parks would be in to building a new suspended coaster at this time because they don't produce enough buzz.

I want a Giga for PKI.... i had a unique idea that no one ever thought of. that would be a lot more fun. I already emailed PKI about it. lol

Actually, it is being re-created...in a way. Badnitrus has taken The Bat under his wing (no pun :)) and has rendered a few pictures of it so far.

He has several projects open at this time and I'm not sure which one he's working on now though.

-------------
Your best? Losers are always whining about doing their best...winners go home and ******* the prom queen.

The Bat looks like it was EXTREMELY intense. I would imagine without banked turns, it might be a marvelous ride. I'm glad they got Top Gun, though. (i mean...because they had to get rid of the bat) Because it is a really great suspended. too bad it's so short.

Josh

-------------
-*Flyers, your flight is clear, ready to go in 3-2-1- FLY!*-